MPCB issues closure notices to 84 RMC units in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad

Pune: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued closure notices to 84 of 350 ready mix concrete (RMC) units in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad between Jan and Sept 2025.During this period, the regulator initiated action against a total of 199 units. This included 103 "proposed directions" to rectify shortcomings regarding pollution norms, 84 formal closure notices, and 12 interim directions. Of the 350 RMC units in the region, 228 are in Pune and 122 in Pimpri Chinchwad, comprising both commercial units and captive plants established by developers for large-scale residential projects."We intensified inspections at RMC units starting in Jan 2025, following similar enforcement actions by the Mumbai office. Our team observed that many plants had at least six to seven major infractions," said Babasaheb Kukade, Regional Officer, MPCB Pune.According to officials, most violations were procedural. Common lapses included failure to provide internal asphalt roads, lack of fogging machines to suppress dust, failure to clean truck tires before they exited the site, and inadequate storage facilities for raw materials.The MPCB requested that municipal corporations and the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) disconnect water and electricity supplies to the non-compliant units. However, enforcement has proven difficult. "Despite disconnecting utilities, some RMC units continued to operate using borewells and diesel generator sets," said Kartikeya Langote, sub-regional Officer.The bulk of these enforcement actions took place before new, stricter norms were introduced on Oct 17, 2025. Since the introduction of the new guidelines, the MPCB has temporarily scaled back its crackdown to allow units time to adapt. A primary requirement under the new rules is the installation of sheds over production areas to prevent dust from spreading. Additionally, the guidelines stipulate that new commercial plants must be situated at least 200 meters away from schools, colleges, hospitals, and courts.Municipal authorities have also stepped up enforcement. In April, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) sealed or demolished 30 units, while the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) sealed four units and inspected 10 others.In response to the heightened scrutiny, the Pune RMC Association — representing 300 members — halted operations on April 16 to protest the strict actions taken by the PMC and traffic police. The association has called for better coordination between govt authorities and implementation of a "single-window" clearance system for proposals.Addressing the situation on April 28, MPCB chairman Siddhesh Kadam said that RMC operators have been given sufficient time to meet the updated standards. He confirmed that the board would soon renew its inspection drive to ensure all conditions are strictly met.
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